Exceedingly Great and Precious Promises
2 Peter 1:4 - “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”
From our gracious God, we obtain Jesus's precious Faith, which has also blessed us with His amazing Grace and Peace. The knowledge of the Savior has also given us “all things pertaining to life and godliness.” All these can multiply and abound as we learn more about Christ.
In today’s devotion, let us consider the additional blessings identified by Apostle Peter as “exceedingly great and precious promises.” Through the power and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, these blessings extend to the future and eternity. This is incredible!
Promises are often not kept. Many believe that a promise is bound to be broken. But not with our gracious God! I have not experienced being disappointed by the Lord regarding His promises I boldly claim in the Scriptures. Too often, the problem is our failure to claim these promises according to the will of God.
The promises in the Bible are conditional. What is not conditional is the gift of salvation. Salvation could not be considered a promise, for Jesus completely fulfilled it on the cross. Its fulfillment is immediate. Its effect is immediate. Sadly, so many believers are not thoroughly enjoying the benefits of salvation for their failure to claim them by faith.
Promises are conditional based on our obedience and commitment to the privileges God has given to us. We have the promise of rewards and the promise of forgiveness. There is also the promise of blessings in our obedience to the stewardship of giving. Luke 6:38 -
“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”
Luke 11:9-10 - “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. [10] For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”
The promises mentioned here are described as “exceeding.” It means “beyond measure or expectation.” To exceed is to express or extend the greatest effort possible. This is not enough to describe the wonderful promises of God. God does not promise anything below exceeding. He always gives the best.
Another description of God’s promises is they are Great. They are great as the Lord is great. His promises are as wonderful and great as the One who gives.
The promises are also “precious.” They are special and important to God, yet He will allow us to have them. It is precious because they come from God, and their purpose and uses will make everyone more precious in the eyes of the Lord.
These exceedingly great and precious promises result in wonderful outcomes. They help God’s children to be partakers of God’s divine nature, an incredible opportunity to manifest the beauty and the power of the Almighty.
My prayer for you!
The Scripture says, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)
There are many precious promises we must claim by coming boldly into God’s throne of grace. They are waiting for us to enjoy. God’s people have no reason to hesitate, doubt, and procrastinate to come to Him by faith and with humility to enjoy all that God has promised.
Micah 6:8 - “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”